Is it better for an actor in his late twenties who is just starting out to go to a college or not?

Question

I am in my late 20s and just starting out as an actor. Is it better to pursue a 4 year conservatory program, a 2 year conservatory program, or just take classes?

Answer 1

If you are going to stick with theater and don't want to go to college, then taking classes is good. If you decide to not do theater, then having a degree will help you in getting another job. It will also help you if you want to continue to refine your acting abilities and go to graduate school.

If you do not stay in theater, having a college degree will come in handy. Even if your degree is in theater, there are lots of places that will hire you. Theater people tend to be organized, creative, problem solvers, and able to communicte well with the public. This can serve you in many areas. You won't have to go the stereotypical server in a restaurant route. Also, going to college will allow you to build relationships with several faculty who can then be references for you in the future, even if it's not for an acting job.

I say, if you can, go to college or university or conservatory or wherever. If, however, you feel confident enough to make it without the degree, then more power to you and dive in with the auditions and start making a career for yourself :)

Answer 2

Do you already have a backelor's degree? You're mentioning conservatory programs, which are very different from a standard liberal arts style degree. It's never too late to go to college!!

I don't really have specific advice, I think it's up to you - what you want and what you're goals are. Training is always good, but so is experience. I was reading the book "Ask an Agent" by Margaret Emory (great read, highly recommend it) and she was saying that when glancing through the piles of headshots she gets every day from wannabe actors looking for representation, the first thing she looks at are the theatre credits and recognizable companies. The second thing she looks at is training and the last thing is film/ tv credits.She also said that a lack of experience could be made up for with training and that she thought it was very important, which should be noted as an actor just starting out.

Don't be in a hurry, it takes time to build up your resume and get some solid training and credits under your belt. It sounds like your on the right path!!

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I won't tell you what to do. I can tell you what I would do. I would try and combine the two things by getting a degree, where I can learn the acting craft at the same time.

Something that I would recommend is while you are there, to educate yourself about the industry, how to move in it, how to promote yourself and the overall business skills you will need to be successful. You will see that those same skills will help you in all areas of your life.

You asked a good question and I compliment you. What you will see, though is that there are a lot of youngsters who want a quick fix. "How can I get an agent?" "How can I audition?" They say these things without taking into consideration two VERY important things:
1) you need talent to have a greater possibility to be successful in the long-term in just about anything you do. There is a certain part of it that is God-given, so to speak and the rest you get through years of study with good teachers in good programs.

2) and this is the one that is, to a certain extent, more important than the first (I'm careful to say that, because it really is important to be as good an actor as you can be first and foremost), and that is BUSINESS skills.
I know a few BRILLIANT actors, who are not working very much, because they don't know how to get their work seen! It's a shame! They don't have the business skills! That's why the best actors don't always get the work.

This is what I mean: http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acting_business.html .

I went off on this rant, because to my knowledge, even the best of conservatories (and no, I don't know about ALL of them) don't really teach you about the BUSINESS. So make sure you get that part of your education too!

Good luck to you!

Tony
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acs-blog.html

Answer 4

Honestly, it would be better if you got your degree. You'll have a better chance at getting jobs at a company, or just more work in general, with something under your belt. Taking classes really won't cut it, and that actually doesn't have anything to do with age. It's just how many companies with residents operate. You should also try working in the community theatre realm until you graduate - that way you'll also have some experience under your belt.

Answer 5

It is absolutely better not to go to college. You cannot learn to act at a college, you can only learn to act by acting. Do you want to be a stage actor or a film actor or both? It makes a diffference about training. For the truth about actor training, and how to become an actor read my profile and write to me at my aol address, I mentor aspiring actors for free.